Nimble, enchanting forests and majestic rocks of the Eifel

Explore the medieval city wall and Nideggen Castle, built from red sandstone, on a rock that dominates the Ruhr area

A hike along the routes of the red sandstone or Buntsandstein route

Discover the magical world of the Eifel around Nideggen, Zerkall, and Bergstein, where enchanting forests and majestic rocks come together for an unforgettable hiking experience.

Step into a landscape full of secrets and beauty. As you walk along the rocky paths, the impressive seam rises from the lush greenery. These characteristic rock formations, shaped by the passage of time, create a breathtaking backdrop for your hiking adventure. Allow yourself to be enchanted by their quirky shapes and discover the Hindenburg Gate, the castle wall, the bird wall, and dozens of other seams.

Every step on this route reveals new views, with the seams providing a stark contrast to the gentle slopes of the valleys. As you make your way through the rocky foothills, you will feel small and humble when witnessing the masterpieces of Mother Nature. The seams reflect the power and eternal beauty of nature, reminding us that we are merely temporary visitors in this timeless landscape.

Let your imagination run wild as you walk along the seams. Each of these natural sculptures seems to tell its own story, holding its own secrets. The rocks have witnessed the history of humanity for centuries and have inspired countless generations. Not only the rocks, but also the historic town of Nideggen with its castle and city gates bear witness to a centuries-old history. (Something more about Nideggen and its treasures, ..)

Let yourself be surprised by the harmony between the seams, Nideggen Castle, and the surrounding landscape. The forests embrace the rocks like protective guardians, while colorful flowers and delicate fauna cling to their rugged surfaces. This fine interplay of life and stone creates a unique and fascinating environment that invites you to explore and enjoy every moment.

So, show yourself from your best side and let yourself be swept away by this enchanting landscape around Nideggen. Here you discover the magic of the seams, where the power of nature unites with the tranquility of the surroundings. Let yourself be inspired, amazed, and connect with this unique place that will steal your heart.

Sights along the way:

- The Roer/Rur, a tributary of the Maas with a length of about 165 km. It rises in the High Venn near Botrange and reaches Germany after 15 km. After 40 km from its source, it flows into the Rursee, an artificial lake created by the Rurtalsperre Schwammenauel or the second-largest dam in Germany.

- Zerkall, a village in the German municipality of Hürtgenwald on the edge of the Eifel, where paper has been produced since the 16th century.

- Burgberg, at 400 m above sea level, this hill was referred to as Hill 400 during the Battle of Hürtgenwald between September 19, 1944 and December 16, 1944. You can currently find monuments and viewpoints overlooking the Ruhr area. A must-see is the 13 m high watchtower or the Krawutschketurm, where you can see the Cologne Cathedral on clear days.

- Nature Park Hohes Venn-Eifel, a 2,700 km² large German-Belgian nature reserve, where we will explore a section between Bergstein and Nideggen today.

- Eugenienstein or Eugeniastein is located at 334 m above sea level and is the first of a series of rocks or viewpoints, including Felsenblick, Hindenburgtor, Chrisinenley & Riesentor. This Buntsandstein rock of the Germanic Triassic supergroup is a rock layer up to 800 m thick and is a remnant from the early Triassic about 250 to 200 million years ago.

- Nideggen is a historic walled town with city fortifications and four gates that is located in the German Eifel above the Ruhr area. This place dates back to the Middle Ages (first documented in 1187), where it has held city rights since 1313 granted by Gerhard von Jülich and his wife Elisabeth von Brabant.

- The Roman Catholic parish church of St. John the Baptist in the town of Nideggen was built around 1177 at the entrance of the castle and is dedicated to John the Baptist.

- Nideggen Castle - built between 1177 and 1191 on a rock or the "Bridge Wall" and was the residence of the Counts and Dukes of Jülich at that time. This ruin of Nideggen Castle had a reputation for being impregnable in the Middle Ages and is the landmark of the town of Nideggen.

- Youth Hostel Nideggen, where you can enjoy an Eifel view from the roof of the inn during the summer months.

- A 2.5 km long loop, where we explore some enchanting rock formations like Teufelsklau, Eingangsturm, Vogelwand, Talwächter, Hintere Wand, Kamuckenwand, Affenfelsen, Aachener Wand, Obstwand, Castor & Pollux and Effelsley, ending with the viewpoints "Effelsdach" & "Rurblick".

- Brück, the second smallest district of Nideggen, with the 4-star campsite Hetzingen on the Roer.